When Sony released its official Wireless Stereo Headset for the PlayStation 3 in 2011, it was a disappointment. At $99, it presented gamers with the simplest way to pair a set of cans to the console, but the problem was… Continue Reading →

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When Sony released its official Wireless Stereo Headset for the PlayStation 3 in 2011, it was a disappointment. At $99, it presented gamers with the simplest way to pair a set of cans to the console, but the problem was that it didn’t do much else. The device itself was one note and the speakers themselves didn’t sound great. It pushed out the sonic equivalent of mud.
But what a difference a year makes. In September, Sony introduced another set of cans, the PS3 Pulse Wireless Stereo Headset, and the Japanese company nails it. This the device that your ears have been waiting for.
Yes, those ear cups are big but they hold a lot of tech inside.EASY TO SET UP: First off, it pairs just as easily as its predecessor. The Pulse comes with a USB adapter that looks like a thumb drive. You stick it in the PS3 and headset should connect instantly. That’s all you have to do. There are no wires you have to deal with. You don’t have to figure out an optical out or a power source. It just works.
That’s fine and good, but it’s after you put on the headphones that things become clearer. The Pulse fits comfortable on the head. It’s hefty but not overbearing. The cups envelop the ears snugly and it’s only after four or five hours of constant wear that you’ll need to take them off either because they do start to hurt after a while or the battery will run dry. Battery life isn't a strength of the headset.
What it does well though is produce crystal-clear sound. Gunshots sound like they whiz by your head. The clickety-clack of shoes on pavement reverberates in the earpads. There were plenty of times I looked around the room because I couldn’t tell if a groan or creak was coming from a dark corner or through the headset. Suffice to say, the audio is superb and rivals that of my favorite set of cans the Turtle Beach Ear Force PX5 thanks partly to the 7.1 virtual surround sound that Sony added to the device.
You can adjust the strength of the BassImpact thankfully.UNEXPECTED EXTRA FEATURES: For those who want more oomph to their audio, the Pulse has what’s called BassImpact technology. It’s gimmicky but it amps up the bass on the headset so that it literally rumbles while you play almost like force feedback for your skull. It’s jarring with some genres, and most of the time, I preferred not to play with it off, but it did add to the experience if you're playing the right game. Body blows and car crashes work well.
The Pulse’s more practical feature is the six different modes -- fighting, racing, shooter, game, movie and music -- that players could choose from at a push of a button on the right earcup. The presets alter the treble and bass to accentuate the audio for different genres. The shooter will help you hear footsteps during a gunfight while the fighting emphasizes the bass so that each punch can be felt. For the most part, the presets work well, especially because the ear cups do a good job of muffling outside noise.
These are the only gaming headsets I would wear out in public.GREAT-LOOKING DESIGN: Those elements put it on par with some of the best gaming headsets out there. But what puts the Pulse over the top is its design and versatility. This is something that you can wear outside in public whether on the subway or while walking the dog and you won’t feel embarrassed to have it on. The reason is that there’s a noise canceling microphone that’s discreetly built into the left earpad. For all intents and purposes, they look sturdy but still sleek. They silver trim makes it look mildly expensive. The fact that there isn’t a microphone sticking out to make you feel like a call center employee makes it so much more appealing than its peers.
Best of all, you don’t have to use this with the PS3. They’re fine as your casual headphones that you use with a smartphone or PlayStation Vita. The Pulse comes with the wires to connect it any device with a 3.5mm jack. Even if the battery is drained, they work just like any ordinary headphones, and with the built-in microphone, you can even take calls.
This is the design aesthetic that so many gaming headsets miss. They can pack it with all the features in the world, but if it’s not easy to use or fashionable enough to wear outside of gaming, it diminishes the value, confining it to home use.
At $149, the Pulse is $50 more expensive than last year’s model, but you get more for the price tag. It’s a sound buy for anyone with a PS3 looking for a headset that can be used for gaming and beyond.]]>http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2012/11/02/pulse-wireless-stereo-headset-a-must-buy-for-ps3-owners/feed/9IMG_9508IMG_9513IMG_9511IMG_9515